In furtherance of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has announced that a Songhai Model Oil Palm Mill would be established in Ibekwe Akpanyah in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the State.

Eno disclosed this on Sunday, October 23, 2023 at a special church service to mark the 75th birthday celebration of famous cleric, Apostle John Okoriko, and the 49th anniversary of the Solid Rock Kingdom Church at the church headquarters, Ibekwe Akpanyah, Mkpat Enin LGA.

He explained that agricultural revolution is a key aspect of the ARISE Agenda, stressing that the establishment of the oil palm mill in Ibekwe Akpanyah Community will boost economic and general development of the State.

He explained that his administration decided to situate the mill at Ibekwe Akpanyah to complement the already existing oil palm plantation established by Apostle Okoriko, provide every level of oil processing services for residents of the area, as well as other oil farmers in the community, assuring that the mill will be a model of the Songhai Farm in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

“It’s a full mill. My team that went with me to the Songhai integrated farm saw that mill. I wanted to do a model, so now that there is a private farm here, we’ll put a model here so that you and the women of this area can keep producing and supporting government.”

“As part of our ARISE Agenda, we have a plan to boost agriculture by providing mills to local oil palm farmers to process their palm fruits and other palm produce. For this kind of farm you have here, I have directed that the very first of such mills be established here.”

Umo Eno congratulated John Okoriko on his 75th birthday, thanking him for his role in ensuring that he was elected into office, describing the revered cleric as an asset to Akwa Ibom State Government and lauded his style of ministration which he described as simple and easy to understand.